Furnace skull stripper



Aprri 15, 1969 K. vv. FQRSTER FURNACE SKULL STRIPPER Filed Dec. 25, 1966 X /Nvmmf I KLAUS w Fmwmm o if AWN l5, 1959 K. w. FORSTER EABW FURNACE SKULL STRIPPER Filed Dec. 25, 1966 Sheet of 2 l mi www mw@ AfL/l0@ wf., wmw

United States Patent O 3,438,619 FURNACE SKULL STRIPPER Klaus W. Forster, Brecksville, Ohio, assignor to Kerma Corporation, Alliance, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Dec. 23, 1966, Ser. No. 604,347

Int. Cl. C21c 5/50 U.S. Cl. 266-36 2 Claims The present invention relates to steel-making apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus for removing the accumulation of slag, metal, etc., which collects about the opening of a furnace vessel used in the making of steel by the basic oxygen process.

Apparatus for removing or stripping skull from the mouth of a furnace vessel, particularly one employed in the basic oxygen process.

During blowing, etc., of a basic oxygen or like furnace, waste gases, etc. escape through the opening and as an incident thereto certain materials are deposited and accumulated about the mouth of the furnace. These materials in time build up into a ring of relatively thick hard material, normally referred to as skull, about the mouth of the furnace, which is periodically removed commonly by manual tools.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is the provision of a novel and improved apparatus for removing skull from the mouth of a furnace vessel which is relatively simple in construction, reliable in operation and which does not impose any force or pressure upon the furnace vessel per se.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an apparatus of the character referred to for removing skull from the mouth of a furnace vessel which is portable and may be mo-ved from vessel to vessel.

The invention resides in certain constructions and combinations and arrangements of parts and further advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the following description of the preferred embodiment described with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, and in which:

FIG. l is a diagrammatic view of a basic oxygen steelmaking installation in which the furnace vessel is a part of a self-propelled unit movable along a runway between blowing and charging positions showing a preferred embodiment of the invention in operating position upon the mouth of the furnace Vessel;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, elevational view looking in the direction of the arrow in FIG. l; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, sectional View approximately on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawings, which are illustrative of the invention, the reference character A designates generally a self-propelled furnace suitable for use in the making of steel by the oxygen lance or basic oxygen process, movable along a runway B comprising pairs of rails 10, 11 and 12, 13, between blowing and charging positions. While the furnace A, shown, is movable along the runway B, it will be understood that the furnace may be stationary, if desired. The furnace is shown in the charging position with the hot metal charging apparatus C at the right side of the furnace and the scrap metal charging car D at the opposite side. The invention is illustrated in this type of mill installation because the preferred embodiment of the invention, that is, the skull removing apparatus shown and designated generally by the reference character E, is adapted to be placed in the scrap metal charging car D, in the position normally occupied by a scrap metal box, when it is desired to remove the skull from a furnace vessel.

3,438,619 Patented Apr. 15, 1969 ice The furnace A, per se, forms no part of the present invention and is not shown in detail and will not be described except to say that it comprises a furnace vessel F pivotally supported in a frame G provided with wheeled trucks for movement along the runway B.

The scrap box car D, shown, is of conventional construction, is self-propelled and supported by four wheels 14, only two of which are shown, for .movement toward and from the furnace A on a runway H comprising rails 15 and 16. In addition to the main frame 20 the car D comprises an auxiliary frame or member 21. Both frames open at the ends thereof adjacent to the furnace and may be referred to as U-shaped with the closed side at the lef-hand end of the car, as viewed in the drawing. The front or right-hand end of the auxiliary frame 21 is pivotally connected by pivot pins 22, 23 to the main frame 20 and has upstanding brackets 25, 26 at opposite sides having upwardly and rearwardly extending apertures 27 28 therein.

The auxiliary frame 21 is adapted to be raised or pivoted about the pivot pins 22, 23 from the position in the car D to the position Shown in the drawings by fluid pressure-operated ram-type motors or cylinders 30, 31 pivotally connected to the main car frame 20 and the brackets 25, 26, respectively. The upper end portions of the motors 30, 31 project into cut-out parts or apertures 27, 28 in the brackets 25, 26 and are secured therein by pivot pins. The stripping or skull removing apparatus or unit E of the present invention is positioned in the auxiliary frame 21 of the scrap box car D by a crane or other suitable means with the opposite ends of transversely extending cylindrical bosses 40, 41 welded to the main housing 42 of the unit :resting in the upwardly and rearwardly extending apertures 43, 44 in the brackets 25, 26. The opposite sides ofI the lower part of the housing 42 rest upon inwardly projecting flanges on the opposite side members of the auxiliary frame 21 and is supported therein in the position shown in the drawings.

In addition to the main housing 42, the unit tE cornprises a built-up member 50, the exterior of which is cylindrical and is slidably supported in the main housing 42. 'Ille `right-hand end of the member S0 projects a considerable distance beyond the right-hand end of the housing member 42 and is provided with integral top and bottom bosses 52, 53 in which U-shaped bell crank-like tongs 54, 55 are pivotally supported by pivot pins 56, 57. The tongs 54, 55 comprise relatively long lever portions 60, 61 and 62, 63 connected at their projecting or free ends by portions 64, 65 extending inwardlly or toward one another and provided with hardened inserts 66, 67 adapted to engage the skull rings on the opening of the furnace when positioned, as viewed in the drawings. The other lever arms 70, 7:1 of the bell crank levers are relatively short and the lever portions thereof 72, 73 and 74, 75, respectively, at opposite sides of the member 50 are pivotally connected together by pivot pins 80, 81 to the piston rods 82, 83 of fluid pressure actuated motors or cylinders 84, 85 connected to member 50 at opposite sides thereof, as viewed in the drawings. The pivot pins 80, 81 extend through slots in the ends of the lever portions 72 to 75 of the bell crank levers so that the levers can be moved by the motors 84, 8S without binding.

The member 50 comprises two tandem cylinders 90, 91, both ends of the left-hand one of which is closed by walls 92, 93. The right-hand end of the cylinder is open and the lcylinder slidably supports a member the projecting end of `which is provided with a cross arm or member 101 adapted to abut against the skull ring about the opening in the furnace. The other end of the member 1100 is connected to one end of a piston rod 102, the other end of which is integral with a piston head 103 slidably supported in a cylinder 91. The piston rod 102 extends through the wall 92. which is provided with a suitable packing gland, not shown. A plate 105 detachably secured to the end 93 of the member 50 limits its movement relative to the housing 42 toward the right. Hydraulic pressure is adapted to be admitted to and exhausted from opposite ends of the cylinder 91 by suitable conduit means E106, 107 co'nnected to a suitable source of hydraulic uid, preferably on the unit E, and with opposite ends of the cylinder 91.

Pressure uid is supplied and exhausted from opposite ends of the cylinders 84, 85, which actuate the bell crank levers or tongs 54, 55 about their pivots 56, 57 in a similar manner.

In operation the bell crank levers or tongs 54, 5S are first opened so that they can be projected over the skull S on the mouth of the furnace by movement of the scrap box ycar D toward the furnace. The member 101 is moved into engagement with the top of the skull ring at points equally spaced from the parts of the ring engaged by or to be engaged `by the tongs, and fluid pressure maintained in the cylinders 84, 8S in a direction to bias the bell crank levers to a closed position, that is, to a position in which their free ends engage underneath the skull ring on the furnace mouth. Subsequent application of tiuid pressure to the left-hand or upper end of the cylinder 91 causes the member 50 to be moved toward the left moving with it the bell crank levers or tongs 54, 55 and the parts of the skull ring engaged thereby. Opposite parts of the skull ring are pulled and bent about the member or bar 101 which extends across the top of the skull ring with no substantial pressure being applied by the apparatus to the furnace. The skull ring is usually somewhat brittle and normally will break before it reaches the position shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3 and can be readily removed. Even though the skull ring does not or is not broken it is loosened from the furnace and can be readily removed.

While in the preferred embodiment of the invention shown the skull removing unit is shown as removably supported in the pivoted auxiliary frame of the scrap box car, it is to be understood that it may be supported in any convenient manner including being suspended from a crane or being constructed as a part of a car similar to the car or any other type of car, preferably one capable of universal movement with respect to the furnace or furnaces with which it is used. It is also to be understood that while the unit E disclosed is hydraulically operated, suitable screw and nut units, etc., may be substituted for the fluid pressure motors shown.

From the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment and the alternative constructions referred to, it will be apparent that the objects theretofore enumerated and others have been accomplished and that there has been provided a simple, effective apparatus for removing or stripping skull from the mouth of a furnace, particularly one employing the basic oxygen process.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown in considerable detail and limited alternative constructions referred to, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular construction shown or arrangements of parts illustrated and described, but it is the intention to cover all adaptations, modifications and arrangements thereof which come within the practice of those skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In apparatus for removing skull from the mouth of a steel making furnace a frame, a first member slidably supported by said frame, a pair of tongs connected to said first member adjacent to one end thereof and adapted to engage below the skull ring on a furnace, means operatively connected to said first member and to said tongs for moving said tongs to open and close the same, a second member slidably carried by said first member, means carried by said second member adapted to engage the skull ring on a furnace at points equally spaced from the engagement thereof by said tongs, and power actuated means operative between said first and second members for moving said first member relative to said frame and to said second member.

2. In apparatus for removing skull from the mouth of a steel making furnace a frame, a first member slidably supported by said frame, a pair of bell crank-shaped tongs pivotally connected to said first member adjacent to one end thereof and adapted to engage below the skull ring on a furnace, means operatively connected to said rst member and to said tongs for moving said tongs about their respective pivots to open and close the same, a second member slidably carried by said Afirst member, means carried by said second member adapted to engage the skull ring on a furnace at points equally spaced from the engagement thereof by said tongs, and power actuated means operative between said first and second members for moving said rst member relative to said frame and to said second member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1967 Kinzler 266-35 X 10/1967 Long et al.

U.S. Cl. XR. 266-34 

1. IN APPARATUS FOR REMOVING SKULL FROM THE MOUTH OF A STEEL MAKING FURNAC A FRAME, A FIRST MEMBER SLIDABLY SUPPORTED BY SAID FRAME, A PAIR OF TONGS CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST MEMBER ADJACENT TO ONE END THEREOF AND ADAPTED TO ENGAGE BELOW THE SKULL RING ON A FURNACE, MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST MEMBER AND TO SAID TONGS FOR MOVING SAID TONGS TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE SAME, A SECOND MEMBER SLIDABLY CARRIED BY SAID FIRST MEMBER, MEANS CARRIED BY SAID SECOND MEMBER ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE SKULL RING ON A FURNACE AT POINTS EQUALLY SPACED FORM THE ENGAGEMENT THEREOF BY SAID TONGS, AND POWER ACTUATED MEANS OPERATIVE BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS FOR MOVING SAID FIRST MEMBER RELATIVE TO SAID FRAME AND TO SAID SECOND MEMBER. 